'Ban on downloading is pointless'

(Translation by Sentaris)

The ban on downloading from illegal sources doesn't do much good. That's what jurist and technology expert Danny MekiÄ‡ told the Dutch news agency ANP.

In order to enforce this ban, the government would need to monitor all internet data traffic. That would soon lead to privacy issues, MekiÄ‡ thinks. Furthermore, to date there doesn't exist any filter that could detect all (illegal) downloads. He also wonders who is going to pay for the enforcement of the ban. "This ban criminalises millions of internet users", says MekiÄ‡.

"Recently the court of justice in the Hague judged that the blocking of The Pirate Bay wasn't effective either: people found other ways to download. A ban is an idle gesture: it can't be stopped and there will always be ways to do it untraceably."

Aside from that, the ban on downloading has negative consequences for artists, MekiÄ‡ says. Currently, artists are compensated financially for revenue they might lose as a result of downloading. That compensation is paid by the private copying levy: a tax that's included in the price of every blank CD, DVD and hard drive. With a ban on downloading, that levy would be rescinded, he states.

British English to Dutch

Newspaper article: 'Woman opens professional cuddling shop'

Hair strokes, hand-holding, caressing and conversation is also available

CHRISTOPHER HOOTON

WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014

Professional cuddler Samantha Hess has opened a pro cuddling shop, where for $60 customers can get an hour's worth of spooning and "the level of human contact that we want or need in order to be our optimal selves."

Located in Portland, Oregon, the shop is called Cuddle Up To Me and is already very busy.

"This business has taken off," Hess told Fox 12. "I've gotten as many as 10,000 emails in a week."

Hour-long sessions cost $60 dollars and include hair strokes, hand-holding and a plethora of different cuddle positions.

Hess says the business is in no way adult-orientated, and that she got the idea for it during a low point in her life.

"I was at a place where I thought paying someone to hug me and not have ulterior motives sounded like a great idea," she added. "I decided why can't this be a thing that we can easily and safely reach for?"

Sessions are taped to ensure the safety of both cuddler and cuddlee.

"After meeting Samantha Hess, I feel so much better," said Steve from Vancouver in a testiominal on the Cuddle Up To Me website.

"Our cuddle time gave me a different outlook on life. I had no idea what I was missing. I am a big fan now and look forward to our next session. She is encouraging, kind and sincere."

The shop is open Monday to Saturday. Talking is optional and pyjamas are encouraged.